[al_kendrick]

The best thing to come out of the USA is the road to Canada!!

[gemini39]

Where to start ? When I first found this site, I was impressed by the "let's not slam anyone, let's just love Canada" sentiment. Over time, however, I have come to the realization that this site is pretty much just a "fuck the U.S.A. and everything about it" place to be. As I'm sure you all know by now, I am a Canadian citizen living in the U.S. I plan to spend the rest of my life here, taking the good with the bad. Funny, I spent 40 years in Canada...I've only been here about 2 years, but, I've already come to love my new home. It may not be perfect, but where is? Canada?? Not hardly.

I spent my first year here educating new friends and co-workers, bringing books, pictures, newspapers, etc to work, teaching the children I work with all about my country. Every person I met was genuinely interested in hearing what I had to say and always wanted to hear or see more. No one has ever said anything derogatory about Canada to me. Yes, they don't learn much about Canada down here. Well, I'm doing what I can in my small town to show people what Canada is. Maybe, buford, you (or any other American who constantly slams the U.S. in these forums) should take a trip to Canada and do the same thing for OUR country. Show them the good things...and there are so many good things.

Everyone talks about how the Americans are full of themselves and how they believe that no one else can measure up to them. Seems like I'm seeing alot of that from Canadians these days too.

I never thought it would happen, and I can hardly believe I can say this, but, I'm feeling more and more American every time I log on here. Sad, so very sad. I was looking for a place to help me feel closer to my Canadian home. But, this is not how I remember Canada.

[Rev_Blair]

I think you missed something, Gemini. Or maybe I did.

My point of view is that the US should be the greatest democracy on earth. Have you read the American Constitution? It kicks ass. So does the Declaration of Independence. Those are right up there with Darwin's theory of evolution and the Magna Carta, as far as I'm concerned. If they were entertaining I'd even compare them to the collected works of Bill Gibson or Hunter Thompson. That's the highest praise you'll get from any piece of writing or set of ideas from me.

Those documents and the ideals within have been hijacked so a few wealthy guys can get even richer at the expense of the rest of the population though. That's wrong. It's like Ghandi beating his chick or Jesus turning wine into water or G.Gordon Liddy suddenly declaring a life-long devotion to Marxism. Those are all dark and twisted things and if they began happening we would first deny them, then rationalize them, then, at last, try to put things right.

I can't speak for others here. I don't pretend to. I will speak out against whats happening in America though. I have to because I hate to see democracy fail.

[RoyalHighlander]

gemini39 wrote:

Where to start ? When I first found this site, I was impressed by the "let's not slam anyone, let's just love Canada" sentiment. Over time, however, I have come to the realization that this site is pretty much just a "fuck the U.S.A. and everything about it" place to be.

I beg to differ. We do have a rants forum where people can vent, but all in all compared to other sites I think that the opinions here have been pretty balanced all in all. When I see posts that are a bit too over the edge I edit them, But I cant catch everything right away. But on the other hand, Canada being the great country that it is, (Like the US) we are allowed to voice our opinions.
I think the slams you may refer to are found in the humour section, and thay are of a political cartoon nature. But there EVERYONE is open to ridicule as it the humour section ,Amreican, Canadian, French etc.

[RoyalHighlander]

Discliamer: Opinions posted here are not necesarly those of the forum admins

Maybe this should be posted in th humour section so that its understood that the site is not against any one, but is a repository for humour from all over

[electricbuford]

Dear Gemini39 , I am shocked ! - I thought I WAS the only American on this site to bash the states - What other yank is trying to crowd into my racket ? - I want names ! Anyway , of all the Canadian sites I've seen - this is one of the most restrained with regard to anti -americanism . People all over the world are getting pretty bent over the way the U.S. government is acting , and while I do think Canadians sometimes are excessive , often times they bring up relevant points when criticizing the states . As for me , I like to use humor and sarcasm often when I criticize the U.S. , because it provides me with a way to vent my frustrations .

Along the lines of what the Reverend said , The basic premise of America is wonderful , but somehow it's gotten screwed up along the way . My humble opinion is that it really started to come unraveled in the early 50's , despite occassional bouts of greatness over the next several decades . What we have today , in principal , I doubt would be recognizable to our founding fathers . And as for Canada , I often see things in the canadian news that cause me to cringe , because I'll say to myself - " That sounds like something that happens here in the states ." I purposely posted " The Vanishing Country " thing because I'd hoped it would spark some debate amoung Canadians regarding the problems and dangers they face . And as I have stated more than a few times - I KNOW CANADA IS NOT PERFECT . I just happen to prefer the way folks do things up there , and I like what I've heard about the society . For that matter , I've also heard similar things about New Zealand .

You have met some wonderful americans while being down here , and I'm thinking that maybe Iowa is a little bit closer to what's good about the U.S. . I do know that my city /area just a decade ago was characterized by reserved , yet decent , hard working and compassionate people . On the down side , they tended not to care to much for folks with really good tans ( if ya know what I mean ). Today, most of these folks have moved to other areas , or keep to themselves , and some are simply dying off from eating too much of the wrong foods . What I see now are people not any different than those I have encountered in MUCH larger cities like Atlanta , Cleveland , Tampa , St. Louis , Charlotte , Memphis , etc. . I see young guys who look like they'd just as soon kill me , then " allow " me to drive on the same road as them , and judging from the considerable incidents of road rage here - thats not an irrational perception on my part . Occassionaly I hear of or see some of the decent people left in this area , but as I seek them out , they seem to be getting harder to find . Perhaps it's different where you live in Iowa - that's one state I've never been to .

One thing that affects us all , Americans and Canadians alike , are the actions of the U.S .government - Are you comfortable with the decisions being made by the present administration ? Me personally , I've got a few questions . The problem is , to ask those questions is to be labled " anti - American " . What the hell happened to the stock market ? Was OUR president truly elected ? What's the hold up on the 9/11 investigations ? How come Sadam has to be bombed RIGHT NOW because he poses an imminent threat , yet Kim jong Il is waving his prick in Bush's face - but that is a situation that can be solved diplomatically ? I , along with a few others have brought up ( and posted links to ) some VERY questionable things our government is doing . Maybe it's better to heed the advice given to dissenters in the 60's - " My country : Right OR Wrong . "

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong in my perception of Canada and it's people . If I have an inaccurate view of the country and society , I'd like to know so I can plan accordingly . If it's destined to become just like the U.S. - or it already is , then let me know . That way I can devote more energies to researching new Zealand , and think about moving there . And if THEY are screwed up too , then I'll concentrate on maybe moving to someplace else nice - like Iowa

[Rev_Blair]

It sounds like Winnipeg is the place for you, Buford. Pack your stuff and come on up.

You're right about everything not being perfect here though. We have a high native population around Manitoba and we treat them like shit. Every time it gets cold, some numb-nuts cheers on global warming without understanding that it won't get a lot warmer, just screwier. Factory farms are polluting the ground water. People vote for the Reform Party without thinking how they will manage without social programs. Our political system seems to be morphing into some sort of twisted monarchy.

It ain't perfect, and Winnipeg gets colder than a bitch, but it's a nice city in a nice province in a nice country. A fair amount of arts and culture, some semi-professional sports, and a fair amount of fake British pubs. What more can ask for in a mid-sized city?